Koregaon Park, Pune – A Foodie’s Paradise

Definition of a foodie is a class of aficionado of food and drinks. A foodie is a person who is always ready to try out new dishes, flavors and cuisines. Pune’s Koregaon Park (popularly referred to as KP) is a paradise for such people. The place has a mix of Indian and Foreign origin population. And it is the main center where most of the foreigners reside. One reason to choose Koregaon Park to stay is the close proximity to the Osho Ashram, one of the famous and well renowned meditation centres in India. People from across the globe come to visit ashram and stay here for atleast a month.

The heavy inflow of the foreign nationals in this part of the city led to the establishment of various such restaurants that provide multi-cuisine specialties. However, many restaurants provide Indian cuisine only. So, for any foodie (local or a foreign national), Koregaon Park is a paradise. A small area packed with enormous food joints, restaurants and hotels that provide some of the delicious cuisine from all over the world.

The restaurants in Koregaon Park range from reasonable/Value for money to moderate / affordable to expensive / fine dining.

The restaurants listed below are categorized in the following categories:

$ – reasonable/Value for money – (less than Rs.150 per person)

$$ – moderate / affordable – (between Rs.150-300 per person)

$$$ – expensive / fine dining – (above Rs.300 per person)

Punjabi Rasoi – $ :

A small restaurant in Koregaon Park is very popular for its delicious Punjabi food. Another reason for being famous id the value for money meals, because nowhere in whole Koregaon Park you’ll get such delicious and reasonable priced non-veg items. That is the reason it is famous amongst the young professionals and college-going people, especially from North India.

German Bakery – $

A small wooden café where you get the best breakfast, snacks, beverages etc. (which are usually not available in other restaurants). When in German Bakery, you will get to see people from all origins and nations. A place where you can spend some quality time with friends, eat and celebrate. Right now, there is nothing left except the junk after the bomb blast. However, the owners have decided to rebuild the café and bring back the old glory and charm of the place and soon it will be the same German Bakery. German bakery was more of a hang out place for conversations, an experience and atmosphere of the place, which makes you, feel like heading to the laid-back beaches of Goa.

Yellow Chilli – $$

Yellow Chilli is a restaurant in Koregaon Park owned by the Celebrity Chef of India, Mr. Sanjeev Kapoor. The restaurant is a bungalow surrounded by lush green lawns. The restaurant does provide a nice ambience for couples and families. The best attraction of the restaurant is the intimate seating arrangements made near the veranda. Apart from the various Indian delicacies, the restaurant is famous for serving some of the signature dishes by the chef himself. The restaurant has an excellent buffet spread of over 50 dished for lunch thorough out the week priced at Rs.250/- (might have changed) plus taxes. A la carte is served in the evenings.

Herbs and Spices – $$

Herbs & Spice Restaurant on the North main Road Lane no. 7 is a multi cuisine restaurant that offers Indian, Chinese and Thai food. A small but nicely set up place to hang around with friends and enjoy the food. Do not miss their Thai banana leaf in which chicken, fish or vegetarian preparations are served banana leaf wraps. Also try their chicken Afghani kebab, dal kandahari, chicken kandahari kebab, and dal Hyderbadi.

Prem’s Restaurant – $$

Prem’s restaurant is probably one of the oldest restaurant in Koregaon Park. It has been around since 1980’s. Ambient with a romantic setting complete with dim lights or candlelight and all, the specialties of the restaurant includes the delicious Indian and Continental Food. Timely service is unheard of here. This is one place where you can spend good time; I mean to say that the waiters will not buzz around you trying to get you to vacate your table quickly. At Prem’s you can enjoy your meal and conversation for up to 3 hrs.
Famous for their variety of cheesy bakes especially the vegetable au gratin or then the spinach one; they have a lot to choose from. The Seafood Soup (which is indeed a wonder as Pune is a land locked city), Lamb Sizzler, Mixed Veg Bhuna (smoked vegetables, Lucknowi style) and Shanghai Fried Rice are amongst the fastest moving dishes here. The Indian menu consists of dishes like Paneer Tikka Masala and the likes. From the Chinese menu, their American Chopsuey and Vegetable Manchurian are rather popular.

Squisito – $$

Does Italian attract you? I mean the food. Well then, Squisito is here to fulfill your Italian wishes. The restaurant offers Mexican and Lebanese along with Italian, which is their specialty. Squisito is the place to visit or call for mouthwatering pizza, pasta, salads and sandwiches.
Squisito in Italian means delicious and the food here is bursting with fresh flavors. You will fall in love with the authentic Italian dishes served with just the right touch of all the best and freshest ingredients. The unique thing about this place is that, it is based on Italian theme and everything is inspired by Italy, it also has a live kitchen. The only disappointment is that it serves an all-vegetarian fare but with the food so good sometimes you do not even notice. Do go for their Caesar salad, the insalata di mista, and the ravioli in four-cheese sauce, pizza napolitana, the tagliatelle, the gnocchi with mushrooms as well as some equally tempting tiramisu.

The Great Punjab – $$$

Punjabi food is a hot favorite almost everywhere in India. It is tasty, juicy, spicy and makes you feel guilty for putting your tummy through all the rich food but it just has to be done. So if this craving ever hits you, simply head to The Great Punjab.
The Great Punjab offers authentic Punjabi cuisine with its wide variety of vegetarian, chicken, fish and mutton dishes. With the butter chicken (paneer for the vegetarians), chicken tikka, mushrooms in green cream sauce or just a plain dal makhni and you will be rubbing your belly in delight all the way home. Their Karela kebab, chicken breasts stuffed with mince lamb, kheema chaap, mutton bhuna and mutton rogan josh is hot favorites as well.

Koyla – $$$

A step back into the bygone era that’s what you feel the moment you step in the restaurant. The first impression you get is the Durban standing at the entrance and welcoming you, that time you get a feel as if you have entered a world of hospitality. The whole look of the restaurant is very ethnic, traditional and historic right from the Durban’s costume and the artifacts used. Koyla is a place where you get a glimpse of the Qutub Shahi era.
The food served here is equally amazing and is actually cooked on heated stone. This traditional method of cooking is what gives the food at Koyla its authentic taste. You got to try it to believe it.

MadHouse Grill – $$$

The Madhouse Grill is far from what the name says. If you had visions of a mad-eyed chef with a butcher’s knife running amok, you can rest assured that the place is anything but that! A typical European set-up, sparsely decorated but inviting, nevertheless. Those who dig Continental will love this place.
The house specialties include a great many dishes running the entire spectrum of chicken, beef and seafood. The Skewered Jumbo Prawns, with a choice of your favorite sauce falls in a class of its own. Mad House Grill specializes in steaks, bar-be-cue and mughalai raan, the latter getting the popular vote for the best ever! Other pop food includes chicken wings, chicken & cheese, roasted chicken, corn rice, corn salad and stuffed potatoes. The vegetarians don’t have as many choices a-la-carte.

Soul, ABC Farm – $$$

This open air garden style seating joint attracts the young and trendy crowds. Soul has an inviting rustic and earthy appeal created by wooden paneling and tables, wrought iron chairs and greenery. Well-spaced, candle-lit tables and a split-level arrangement help create your own cozy private space.
The Menu offers a mouth-watering choice of Indian and Italian cuisine, with an exciting range of exquisite desserts. Friday nights come alive with musicians of all genres, both young and old, who play music ranging from Retro & Rock ‘N’ Roll to Jazz & Blues. Should has a fully stocked bar serving up everything from fine wines to cocktails. With individual chefs and separate kitchens for Indian and Italian food, Soul boasts a cuisine that tingles ones taste buds with mouth-watering delicacies. Being the only restaurant to have a wheat pizza base (on request), Soul is proud to mention that its Italian chef has trained and worked in Southern Italy to master the finer nuances of Italian herbs and spices.

1 COMMENT

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